owens who has been the executive director of the national employment law project since january of 2008, and she's seen the efforts that that institution oversee the effects of the great recession. she's worked at the afl-cio, focused on minimum wage, living wage hikes, pay equity for women, many issues we're pursuing around this country. ms. owens we welcome you. we want to introduce each witness first or have them testify one at a time? >> okay. we'd ask you to make your statement brief so we can get to all witnesses. >> thank you so much. we appreciate the committee holding this important hearing today on what is an urgent matter for millions of americans who will lose their unemployment benefits over the holidays, more than 3 million by the first of july if congress fails to act to renew the emergency unemployment program. a written statement is in the record. i will keep my remarks brief. i want to emphasize as congressman levin stressed, that although the economy has improved, it is far from a healthy economy that provides job opportunities for all who need and want to work, parti